Training

Start Learning to Dive Today SDI makes it possible for you to complete all of the academic requirements for your entry-level diver certification on line. You can get started right now and, when you are done, complete your in-water skill-development sessions and final open-water training dives at an SDI Dive Center close to home, or at a popular vacation destination.

Getting your entry-level diver certification is a three-step process:

The first step is to acquire all of the important academic information every certified diver must know. (This is the underwater equivalent of a student pilot going through “ground school.”) Traditionally, this required attending several hours of formal classroom training. Now, through on-line training, you can complete this phase through self-study, at your own pace, in the convenience of your home or office.

The next step is to complete your in-water skill-development training. This takes place in a swimming pool or similar body of confined water. Here you will learn the fundamental skills that every diver needs to know. (It’s also a lot of fun.)

The final step is complete four or more open-water training dives under the supervision of your SDI Instructor. Here you will apply what you have learned during your academic and skill-development sessions, while learning practical lessons that can only be gained through real-world experience in open water.

You have several options to complete the in-water phases of your training:

You can complete both the skill-development sessions and open-water training dives at your local SDI Dive Center.

You can complete the skill-development sessions at your local SDI Dive Center, and do your open-water training dives at the vacation destination of your choice.

Whatever option you choose, your local SDI Dive Center can help you with the arrangements. When you are done with all three phases of your training, your SDI Dive Center will order your permanent certification card.

This entry-level certification course is designed to give physically or mentally disabled students the necessary skills to conduct open water dives in conditions similar to their training without the direct supervision of an instructor.

*Note: Diving under the supervision of a qualified SDI Dive Buddy may be required.

Students between the ages of 10 through 14 may obtain a age related restricted SDI Scubility Scuba diver certification if the following conditions are met; students are to train and dive under the direct supervision of a parent, guardian, or active leadership level diver with an SDI Dive Buddy certification

When a age related restricted SDI Scuba Diver reaches the age of 15, they can upgrade to the SDI Scubility Open Water Scuba Diver certification

What you can expect to learn: Instructors may use any additional text or materials that they feel help present these topics. The following topics must be covered during this course:

History of diving

Aquatic environment

Vision

Light

Sound

Heat loss; emphasis on specific disability

Tides

Currents

Waves

Surge

Marine life injuries

Physics and physiology

Buoyancy

Pressure

Boyle’s Law

Air spaces

Breathing air under pressure

Scuba Equipment; modified and special equipment must be covered on each part of this section

Mask, fins, and snorkel

Exposure protection

Buoyancy compensator device (BCD)

Regulator

Cylinders

Weight systems

Underwater instruments

Accessories

Planning your dive

Special considerations for the disabled diver

Buddy system

First aid

Required Skill Performance and Graduation Requirements Students are required to successfully complete the following skills:

Swimming evaluation

100 metre distance swim, using any stroke or 150 metre distance swim using mask, snorkel and fins or webbed gloves; wetsuit can be worn

Survival swim of 10 minutes; wetsuit can be worn

Scuba skills

Scuba system assembly and disassembly; minimal assistance

Weight system adjustment with proper weighting; minimal assistance

Removal and replacement of weight system:

Pre-dive check of self and buddy

Mask clear:

Partial, at depth

Full, at depth

Breathing and swimming underwater without a mask; distance 12 metres

Buoyancy compensator device (BCD) use:

Inflation and deflation (oral/auto)

Removal and replacement:

Buoyancy Control

Hovering

Controlled ascents; minimal assistance- dependant on disability

Controlled descents; minimal assistance- dependant on disability

Regulator use

Breathing, clearing, and recovery:

Alternate air source use (air sharing with a buddy; stationary and while making a controlled ascent)

Underwater swimming (proper use of fins and/or webbed gloves)

Entries and exits

Controlled seated entry; if suitable for level of disability

Back-roll entry; if suitable for level of disability

Giant stride entry; if suitable for level of disability

Shallow water exit; assistance of up to 100% depending on level of disability

Deep water exit; assistance of up to 100% depending on level of disability

Snorkel use

Adjustment

Clearing (blast method)

Computer use

Reading and understanding data

Understanding functions of computer

Use of gauges

Underwater communications

Special signals for sight impaired diver

Rescue techniques

Tired diver tows; instructors discretion

Cramp relief

Out-of-air emergencies

Simulated swimming ascent

What’s in it for you? Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may:

Conduct open water dives in conditions similar to their training

Enroll in the Advanced Adventure Diver Program, individual SDI Specialties or the SDI Advanced Diver Development Program

Dive-Buddy SystemThe Dive-buddy system puts flexibility into the training program by allowing certification according to which performance requirements have been met.

DB1: All of the performance requirements have been met; the diver has demonstrated the ability to perform self rescue and can provide equal assistance to his/her buddy should it become necessary. This diver can dive with any other certified diver

DB2: All of the performance requirements have been met; the diver has demonstrated the ability to perform self rescue but is not able to provide assistance to his buddy should it become necessary. This diver must dive with 2 adult certified divers, one of which must be a qualified SDI Scubility Dive Buddy

DB3: The physical performance requirements have been met; the diver has demonstrated the ability to safely use scuba in an open water environment. But the diver does not have the ability to perform self rescue or provide assistance to his buddy should it become necessary. This diver must dive with 3 adult certified divers, one of which must be a qualified SDI Scubility Dive Buddy

SDI Scubility Open Water Diver minimum requirements: In order to complete this course, students must:

Satisfactorily complete the SDI Open Water Scuba Diver Knowledge Quest or equivalent SDI electronic / online learning exam. Instructors my use additional exams that can be found on the SDI Open Water Scuba Diver Instructor Resource CD

Complete all open water requirements safely and efficiently

The SDI Scubility Dive Buddy Program is designed to develop the knowledge and necessary skills for an individual to effectively perform as a dive buddy for a physically disabled diver. The practical skills developed are the same as for the SDI Scubility Instructor, making the dive buddy course an important step in the development process.

Who this course is for:

Certified divers looking to assist disabled divers enjoy the underwater world and SDI Instructors wishing to become an SDI Scubility Instructor

Course prerequisites:

Minimum age 18, 16 with parental consent

Provide proof of:

Current CPR and first aid certification

Rescue diver certification

OR

Advanced Diver certification with 40 logged open water dives

What you can expect to learn: The SDI Scubility Dive Buddy Diver Course takes an in-depth look at all of the following and more:

The SDI Scubility Instructor Program is for those students who have successfully completed the SDI Scubility Dive Buddy Program and are currently an active Instructor or higher with a recognized dive training organization.

Who this course is for:

Certified divers looking to assist disabled divers enjoy the underwater world and SDI Instructors wishing to become an SDI Scubility Instructor

Course prerequisites:

Minimum age 18

Provide proof of:

Scubility Dive Buddy certification

Current CPR and first aid certification

Current SDI Open Water Scuba Diving Instructor

What you can expect to learn:

The SDI Scubility Instructor Course takes an in-depth look at all of the following and more:

Background information

Instructor awareness

Public acceptance

Lifestyle and personality

Social integration

Common medical conditions and disabilities

Amputations

Asthma

Cerebral palsy

Diabetes

Epilepsy

Hearing disorders

Muscular dystrophy

Motor Neuron

Multiple sclerosis

Sight impairment

Spinal injuries

Diving environment

Confined water

Open water

Accessibility

Access to confined water

Access to open water

Liability and related legal considerations

Training

Confined water

Open water

Academic

Liability and related legal considerations

Marketing

Course structure

clients

Standards

Scubility course requirements and standards

Some of the required skills you will have to demonstrate include:

Show preparation and planning for:

Academic lessons

Confined water training

Open water training

Complete one:

Academic session for a paraplegic diver

Confined water training session with sight impaired or paraplegic diver (real or simulated)